Published on: Saturday, August 19, 2006 |
Kota Kinabalu: It is imperative to plant and rehabilitate mangrove areas to protect nations from any tsunami threat, said Tokiko Kato, a Special Envoy for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
"I visited Thailand and Sri Lanka last year and was amazed to see that the mangrove forests in the coastal areas are still in its natural condition and not affected at all.
"I was made to understand that many of the Japanese tourists who visited Sri Lanka died due to the impact of the tsunami but not the animals which escaped the catastrophe," she said.
Towards this end, Kato, who is also an accomplished singer, said mangrove forests in the coastal areas would shield and shelter any living thing that reside or seek refuge in the area.
Also, she stressed that mangrove forests effectively protect land from erosion and conserve ecological habitats as well as purify water.
She was relating to reporters her experiences while visiting countries in the region affected by the December 2004 tsunami.
Among those present at the press conference here Friday were Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister, Datuk Karim Bujang, Consulate-General of Japan to Sabah, Masahiro Obata, Chief Adviser of Borneo Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation (BBEC) and Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd General Manager, Sitti Bahaya Damsal.
Kato was appointed Special Envoy for UNEP in October 2000 to promote environmental protection and conservation activities in the Asia Pacific region.
Hence, her visit to the State is to encourage environmental protection and conservation activities related to the BBEC programmes in Sabah.
She will be touring environmental sites in Sabah, including Kinabalu Park, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan, tropical rainforests and oil palm plantations in Dagat Village in Lahad Datu and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park from Aug 18 to 24.
"I am looking forward to visit the natural sites in Sabah and, in particular, I am interested to see the oil palm plantations and how such industry relates to the indigenous people like the Orang Sungai here," she said.
Karim said Kato would also perform at a free one-night concert at the Dewan Kuliah Pusat of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Aug 23.
"Tokiko's concerts are known for carrying environmental themes, using music as a channel to express here sentiments. She will be performing four songs including the famous 'Jambatan Tamparuli' with a local traditional music ensemble called the 'Sound of Borneo'.
"She will also perform several of her Japanese hits such as Nada Sousou, Hanagatami and Hyakumanbon No Bara. This concert is unique as she will be hosting a 10-minute talk show session with the audience on pertinent environmental issues and her trip to Sabah," he said.
